Ron with his Ken Martin Award at Chatelherault Country Park in 2004.
10th April 1944–4th October 2022
Dear member, It is with heavy hearts that we must inform you of the sad passing of Ron Clowes.
Born in Falkirk, Ron started his working life, at the tender age of just 15, as an agricultural apprentice and went on to gain a diploma at the North Scotland Agricultural College before undertaking an education in agricultural engineering at Glasgow University. In 1979 he began lecturing at Clinterty College where he developed and delivered a NCArb arboricultural course and, later, a HNCArb award. An impressive feat for a man afflicted by dyslexia. In 1999 Ron set up as a private arboricultural trainer and assessor. In this role he became renowned for his dedication to his candidates and his patient, approachable manner. This role took him all over Scotland. His decked-out transporter van was a well-known sight to many of us in the industry. There must be numerous arborists out there whose first tentative steps were guided by Ron.
While busy passing on his wealth of knowledge to the younger generation of Scottish arborists, Ron was also a regular figure at Arboricultural Association events and even found the time to help run the Burn of Fochabers Community Woodland. Ron was also a Scout leader and a conservation volunteer for the National Trust for Scotland. He helped the Scotland Branch run many successful events over the years. His enthusiasm, knowledge and skills were always a positive and welcome contribution. It was no surprise then that in 2004 Ron was the recipient of the Ken Martin Memorial Award for services to arboriculture in Scotland. A worthy recipient if ever there was one.
Our thoughts and sympathy are with his wife Judi, daughter Lucy and son Roddy.
If the regard in which a person’s colleagues held them is any measure of their character, then Ronald William Clowes was a soul of the highest order. His passing is our loss.
Arboricultural Association Scotland Branch Committee
This article was taken from Issue 200 Spring 2023 of the ARB Magazine, which is available to view free to members by simply logging in to the website and viewing your profile area.